Jaw Pain? It Might Be TMJ

If you often wake up in the morning suffering from jaw, head, neck or shoulder pain, symptoms that have all been linked to the temporomandibular joint. These are often referred to as signs of TMJ trouble or TMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

If chronic TMJ pain is disrupting your daily life, your dentist In Washington, DC can help you prevent symptoms and offer simple, non-invasive treatment options.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint is what moves the lower jaw up and down. For a number of reasons, the TMJ is subjected to immense stress and the joint breaks down. The result is TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

How is TMJ Treated?

TMJ treatment in Washington, DC helps alleviate and minimize pain, improve mouth function and jaw mobility. Since stress on the joint is a major issue in regard to TMJ disorder, the first step may be to take a conservative approach with medication, and stress reduction tips. Orthodontic therapy may also be required to adjust your bite, or missing teeth may need to be replaced.

But many people don’t know they clench and grind their teeth overnight while they sleep. Nighttime teeth grinding puts a tremendous amount of stress on the jaw joint. Patients who exercise this bad oral habit can benefit from a custom-fitted oral appliance such as a mouth guard, night guard or occlusal splint. These dental devices prevent contact between the upper and lower jaw during slumber, which allows the jaw joint to relax.

TMJ/TMD Treatment in Washington, DC

If TMJ pain is taking away your quality of life, please contact our Washington, DC dental office to discuss non-invasive treatment options. We will work together to determine the best solution to end the chronic pain so you can get back to enjoying life.